The shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic has finally started to recede, and the world is slowly returning to a semblance of normalcy. Consequently, this shift is leading to significant changes in the living conditions in cities worldwide. Focusing on this transformation, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2023 presents a fascinating snapshot of how the world’s cities have adapted and evolved. This is the most liveable cities of 2023!
Vienna: Retaining the Crown
In an interesting turn of events, Vienna, the capital of Austria, has once again emerged as the world’s most livable city for the second consecutive year. The city has managed to secure a top spot in the EIU’s Global Liveability Index for eight out of the last ten surveys.
Built on the pillars of stability, excellent infrastructure, robust education, comprehensive healthcare services, and a vibrant cultural and entertainment scene, Vienna’s winning streak continues. However, the city could do with a few more major sporting events to boost its overall appeal.
The Runner-Up: Copenhagen
Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, occupies the second spot, offering a comparably high quality of life to its residents. It mirrors Vienna’s positive aspects, providing a strong foundation for a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.
Asia-Pacific: The Rising Star
The Asia-Pacific region has made a significant leap in the liveability rankings. Eight out of ten cities showing the most improvement come from this region. Wellington in New Zealand has ascended 35 spots to 23rd place, and Auckland, also in New Zealand, has climbed 25 places to land at number 10. Hanoi in Vietnam has made an impressive jump of 20 places to reach the 129th position.
The Australian Comeback
After a severe setback due to a particularly infectious Covid strain in 2022, the Australian cities of Sydney and Melbourne have made a strong comeback. They have reclaimed their positions in the top tier of the rankings, landing at third and fourth places, respectively.
An Overall Increase in Global Liveability
The shift back to normality post-pandemic has had a generally positive impact on global liveability in 2023. The global average score of the EIU’s Liveability Index has reached a 15-year high. This shift is attributed to significant improvements in education, healthcare, culture and environment across various cities, especially in developing economies of Asia and the Middle East.
The Downward Spiral
However, not all cities have fared well in the 2023 rankings. The UK cities of Edinburgh, Manchester, and London have suffered a significant drop in their rankings. Similarly, Los Angeles and San Diego in the US have also slipped down the list. Most Chinese cities have managed to maintain their positions from last year.
The Bottom Dwellers
Sadly, the cities of Damascus in Syria and Tripoli in Libya continue to languish at the bottom of the list. The reasons for their poor performance include social unrest, terrorism, and ongoing conflict.
The Global Liveability Index: Methodology
The EIU ranks 173 cities based on more than 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The data collection was carried out between February 13 and March 12.
The Top 10 Most Liveable Cities in 2023
The following are the ten most liveable cities in the world in 2023:
- Vienna, Austria
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Melbourne, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Calgary, Canada
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Toronto, Canada
- Osaka, Japan (tie)
- Auckland, New Zealand (tie)
The Bottom 10 Cities in 2023
These are the ten least liveable cities in 2023:
- Douala, Cameroon
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Karachi, Pakistan
- Lagos, Nigeria
- Algiers, Algeria
- Tripoli, Libya
- Damascus, Syria
Conclusion – Most Livable Cities of 2023
As the world recovers from the ravages of the pandemic, we see a significant shift in the liveability index of cities around the globe. The 2023 rankings reflect the resilience and adaptability of cities and their residents. However, they also emphasize the need for continuous efforts to improve the quality of life in all cities around the world.
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